Difference between Michael Jackson and The Beatles
When it comes to record sales, astronomical numbers of fans and loads and loads of hit songs, The Beatles and Michael Jackson share a lot in common. They both have changed the world with their music and made tons of money along the way. But they do differ in some ways. One being the genre of music they made, and another in the decades in which they made their music. The Beatles were a rock band most popular in the 60’s and 70’s, while Michael Jackson was a pop superstar mostly in the 70’s and 80’s.
Record Sales
Both The Beatles and Michael Jackson sold millions of records. The Beatles have sold a total of 1.3 billion records worldwide to date. Michael Jackson’s record sales worldwide to date are a little lower, estimated to be at 750 million units. The two acts are considered two of the top-selling artists of all time. In fact, The Beatles are considered the top selling, while Michael Jackson is considered third, just behind Elvis Presley for second. Michael Jackson does have one record all for himself; his album Thriller is the top selling of all time, with sales totaling over 100 million worldwide.
Beginnings
The Beatles was a rock band made up of 4 musicians: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. The band kept the same members from 1962 until breaking up in 1970. Michael Jackson, early in his career, was part of the Jackson 5, a pop group composed of his brothers and himself. When he was an adult, Michael become a solo act and would perform as such for the remainder of his career. Most of Michael’s fans remember him as a solo artist, while The Beatles are known as an iconic rock band. This is a key difference between the two.
Where They Are Now
Of the four original Beatles, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are still alive. John Lennon was murdered outside his apartment in New York City in 1980. George Harrison died of a metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in 2001. Michael Jackson died of an apparent drug overdose administered by his doctor in 2009; the doctor is currently on trial for manslaughter of the pop star. The world grieved greatly for the two Beatles and Michael Jackson after their deaths, especially for Lennon and Jackson, given their deaths were controversial in nature.
Similarities and Differences
The Beatles and Michael Jackson are both iconic music acts and will forever be remembered around the world. While they made music of different genres, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney did make a couple of songs together, including “The Girl is Mine”, released on Jackson’s Thriller album.
Michael Jackson
- Was star of the pop group Jackson 5 as a child
- Sold millions of records over is career, including the top-selling album of all time Thriller
- Often viewed as eccentric for his quirky demeanor
- Was accused of child molestation, but was never convicted
- Died in 2009 amid controversy around the circumstances and the involvement of his doctor in his death
- In 1984, he outbid Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney for the rights to The Beatles music for a sum of $47.5M dollars.
The Beatles
- Were hugely all around the World in the 60’s and 70’s and still remain popular today
- Composed of four members, with two of those alive today and still making and performing music
- Front man for the band, John Lennon was murdered in 1980 by a crazed fan
- The Beatles are widely considered to be the best band of all time
- The Beatles music is featured in the Cirque Du Soleil show titled "The Beatles: Love" at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas.
